Clonberne native, Gerard Heneghan, has been fundraising in support of Firstlight, a charity that supports bereaved parents and families after the loss of a child up to, and including, the age of 18, since 2015, raising more than €20,000 in memory of his elder brother, Noel, who passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS ) in January 2001.
Baby Noel Heneghan, born on Christmas eve 2000, was a very cherished child born to parents Bernie and Paddy Heneghan from Clonberne. He came into this world prematurely, receiving medical care in University Hospital Galway for a number of days before joining his parents at their home in Clonberne in mid January 2001. On the morning of January 27, just six days after baby Noel came home, he passed away from SIDS. He was just four weeks old.
Following the loss of baby Noel, his parents were supported by bereavement charity, Irish Sudden Infant Death Association which is now known as Firstlight. The support given to Firstlight during the insurmountable loss of Noel, has been a driving force for his younger brother, Gerard, who has been raising money for Firstlight since he was just 13-years-old. Now aged, 21, Gerard has raised more than €20,000 for Firstlight through annual fundraisers and has even become an ambassador for the charity.
“In our mind we have always been a family of five, and Noel is always included. The fundraising events have meant that my own friends, who might not have known about Noel because he was older than me, have learned about him and the loss my parents experienced.
“It helps keep Noel’s memory alive and raise money for Firstlight.”
The youngest brother, 19-year-old Seán, brings the number of Heneghan boys up to three, alongside parents Paddy and Bernie.
Gerard became involved with Firstlight in 2015 aged just 13-years-old, inspired by the support given to his parents during Noel’s passing, he was driven to help the organisation to raise funds so that same invaluable source of strength could help more families going through the same thing.
“Once I knew how much help they had given, how they had helped through the darkest days and the work in general that they do on a daily basis, which in my mind is incredible work, I knew I wanted to help.
“I can’t say that the fundraising will stop such a loss from happening, but it helps to soften the blow.”
Expansion
The Irish Sudden Infant Death Association (ISIDA ) expanded in 2012, due to the demand for support of families bereaved suddenly in circumstances other than SIDS and widened their margin of coverage to the loss of children up to, and including, 18-years-old. This change of support resulted in a change of name, Firstlight and since 2012, Firstlight has continued the work of ISIDA as well as its new remit.
Gerard’s personal experience with Firstlight up until 2021 had been related to the loss of baby Noel, but with the sudden loss of a friend aged just 18-years-old, he had first hand experience with how much support and care FirstLight show to people going through the loss of a loved one.
“I lost a good friend a couple of years ago, and FirstLight got in contact with me when it happened letting me know that there was support available if needed, which I found invaluable. Me seeing the heartache of that loss kind of opened my eyes to the invaluable services that FirstLight provide.
“If the change of remit for FirstLight had not already been in place when my friend passed away, that support would not have been available. I know there are general supports and counselling, but there is something special knowing that there are experts there and are able to support a family dealing with the loss of a child.
“It is a loss none of us want to go through, it is not natural to bury a child.”
Determination
It would be fair to assume that any 13-year-old organising a fundraising event would start small, but Gerard has proven the old saying about assumptions true and adopting a ‘go hard or go home’ approach. He organised a charity 5K in aid of Firstlight in 2015, but in 2016 he established The Baby Noel Heneghan Barn Dance, that brings some of the best local country music talent to Glenamaddy for an annual hootenanny.
“I wanted to do something different and something unique to the area. I am country music mad and wanted to do something different.
“It is in the Oakland Hotel in Glenamaddy, but thanks to decorations gathered over the years like; hay bales, bunting and gingham table cloths make the venue into the perfect barn.
“There has not been a moment during the barn dance where the dance floor wasn’t packed and the singers and MC’s have been great at getting people out on the floor.”
This will be the fourth Baby Noel Heneghan Barn Dance, an annual tradition which Gerard sees no sign of it slowing down.
“As long as I can organise it and that the crowd want to come, I will keep going.”
The costs of the fundraising event are entirely covered by corporate sponsors, meaning that the proceeds gathered from the barn dance go entirely towards Firstlight.
The 2023 Baby Noel Heneghan Barn Dance will be taking place on Saturday, July 15 in Raftery’s Oakland, Glenamaddy from 8:30pm. Admission is €10 and music will be provided by Stuart Moyles, Jenna Sloane, Carrie Loftus, Jason Travers and Jack Reilly. Raffles and spot prizes have also been organised for the night. To learn more and to follow Gerard on his future Firstlight fundraisers, follow ‘The Baby Noel Heneghan Barn Dance’ on Facebook.
